IBM Continues Its Push to Reach SMBs

The company's latest efforts involve eOneGroup, an ISV that creates solutions for small businesses looking to expand their Web sales.

IBM, in its ongoing efforts to increase its SMB presence, is collaborating with ISV eOneGroup to provide solutions for several businesses.

These partnerships are part of a strategic effort by IBM to reach out to ISVs and partners who have established relationship with small and midsize businesses, said Leslie Givens, IBM's program director for ISV and developer relations.

The effort involves PartnerWorld Industry Network, IBM's support program for ISVs.

"It was enterprise back in the day, but we have recognized the need to grow our business in the midmarket," Givens said. "These customers trust and work the smaller companies and we are trying to reach them through programs like PartnerWorld."

On Aug. 10, IBM announced that eOneGroup, based in Omaha, Nev., had helped craft solutions for two companies, Pear's Gourmet and Sandhills Powersports, both of Omaha.

Dan Watson, the co-founder of eOneGroup, said his company focuses on providing software solutions for small companies whose Web needs have outgrown their sites, like Yahoo and eBay.

In the case of Pear's Gourmet, a mention on national television created demand for its product line of coffee and nuts. eOneGroup then created a software solution that let the company manage the increased number of orders through its Web site. The solution used eOneGroup's eOneCommerce application, which is built on IBM DB2 database software.

The subscription model for eOneGroup's solutions runs between $2,000 and $5,000 per month, or the base products can be purchased for $40,000 plus an annual fee.

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